Catholics play vital role in helping migrants to US
The Catholic Church is sheltering migrants on their way to illegally cross the border into the US as evangelicals there continue to take a hardline on illegal immigrants.
Posted: Friday, January 11, 2008, 15:16 (GMT)
At a Catholic-run shelter just across the border from Laredo, Texas, dozens of Latin American migrants say grace and tuck into a hearty meal of sausages, beans and rice, before trying to swim across the Rio Grande into the United States.
Weary migrants on their journey north often recharge their batteries at a network of similar shelters run by the Roman Catholic Church - a lifeline sanctioned by the Vatican, despite increased US efforts to keep out illegal immigrants.
"Migration is a human right and migrants are some of the world's most vulnerable people. It is the church's obligation to help them," said the Rev Francisco Pellizzari, an Italian-Argentine missionary who runs the Nazareth migrant shelter in Nuevo Laredo.
After long treks to the border, often from as far away as Central America, men, women and children at the shelter swap their torn clothes for fresh ones, heal their injuries and telephone family members for cash for their crossing.
The Nuevo Laredo shelter has been granted a papal blessing in a Vatican certificate that hangs proudly on the wall.
Many Catholic Churches in the United States have welcomed Hispanics, with some seeing their congregations double in size. They set up soup kitchens and offer support to families hit by workplace raids and deportations.
"It is time for some compassion in the immigration debate," said Sister Christine Feagan, who ministers to Hispanics at St Mary's Catholic Church in Iowa. "Welcome the stranger."
But in a US election year with illegal immigration one of the most passionate issues, some candidates have a tough message for undocumented immigrants.
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Added: Sunday, January 13, 2008, 1:49 (GMT)
Here's the booklet by Pastor Ralph Ovadal which is referenced in the article:
Romanizing America through Illegal Immigration
http://www.pccmonroe.org/Ecumenism/romanizingamerica.htm
Also of interest may be the following by Pastor Ovadal:
An Urgent Plea to Roman Catholics (English version):
http://www.pccmonroe.org/Ecumenism/urgent.htm
Una Advertencia Urgente a los Católicos Romanos (Spanish version of the above tract):
http://www.pccmonroe.org/Ecumenism/urgente.htm
Janet, Wisconsin, USA
Added: Saturday, January 12, 2008, 16:30 (GMT)
The Catholic Church is doing a great thing here, What ever happened to
" Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" You might want to think about your grand parents and great grand parents before running your mouth, where would you be if they were not allowed in to this GREAT COUNTRY.
DJ, Hou. Tx
Added: Friday, January 11, 2008, 18:01 (GMT)
These people are committing treason and hiding behind religion to do it! They should be arrested and charged with the same. They are trying to trigger a war within our borders here in America. And if they don't stop it, that's exactly what they will get and remember they are on the FRONT line.
Nancy, OKC,OK, U.S.
Added: Friday, January 11, 2008, 16:29 (GMT)
"The Roman Catholic Church is aiding and abetting the criminal invasion of America from Mexico," wrote Ralph Ovadal, pastor of the Pilgrims Covenant Church in Wisconsin"
To Mr Ralph Ovadal, First learn the immigration laws, being in the country undocumented is NOT A CRIME, ITS A CIVIL SUIT.
STOP YOUR HATRED, Also you being a "Man of GOD" is against ALMIGHTY GODS CHILDREN?? HMMMMMMMM I WONDER WHAT KIND OS A GODLY PERSON YOU ARE?? ENOUGH SAID.
PS: AREN'T THESE SAME HUMANS OF YOUR SAME RELIGION AND BELIEVE IN YOUR SAME GOD ??
Funny Truth, Freedom, PA
